Reading "A Lesson before Dying" provoked some rather stirring emotions within me, in part, because of personal experiences growing up in a "segregated" Chicago during the 60's and 70's. I am well aware of the mindset that casually referred to Black people as less than human. Unfortunately, there are still a few people even today that think this way. As a Black man I must say that anger and hurt fills me when I read and see movies of this type; I often wondered why, why us? My grandmother, who was born in Alexandria, Louisiana in the early 1900's, would often tell us about the hardships that her parents experienced. As in the story, she said that it was the norm to hear derogatory attributes and remarks directed at and about blacks without a blink of an eye. Watching the sketches of the movie on the class videotape reinforced the emotions I was experiencing while reading the story. From the beginning of the story, it was clear to me that Jefferson would have to die, not life without parole, but death to avenged a white man's death. This foregone decision was accepted not only by white, but also by the blacks and the defendant himself. I kept thinking to myself: why didn't he just turn and run out of the store? However, I believe nothing would have spared his life; "justice" must be served. This led me to issue of recent court rulings that have overturned wrongful convictions with innocent people condemned to die. In the majority of these cases the defendants were black males who had been railroaded by the system. Thank God for all people of goodwill that have made a determined effort to highlight and reverse such travesty of justice! .
As I watched the class" discussion after they viewed the movie's sketches, I was intrigued with some observations and comments; Professor Hoffman so correctly pointed out, many if not all, of the students present are not old enough to be personally aware or accountable for this type thinking or behavior.